What is the Daruma doll gifted to PM Modi during his Japan visit?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was gifted a traditional Daruma doll, regarded as a symbol of good fortune, during his visit to Japan on Friday.

Modi, who reached Tokyo in the morning for a two-day trip aimed at deepening civilisational and cultural ties between India and Japan, received the doll from Rev Seishi Hirose, Chief Priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-Ji temple in Takasaki-Gunma, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

"This special gesture reaffirms the close civilisational and spiritual ties between India and Japan," the MEA noted.


Considered a good luck charm, the Daruma doll holds a special place in Japanese tradition.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, PM Modi wrote that it was an honour to meet Rev Seishi Hirose and thanked him for the gift. "Daruma is considered to be an important cultural symbol in Japan and also has a connect with India. It is influenced by Bodhidharma, a noted monk," he said.

The city of Takasaki in Gunma is known as the birthplace of the iconic Daruma dolls.

The tradition of Daruma in Japan traces its roots to Bodhidharma, a monk from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, who is revered in Japan as Daruma Daishi. He is believed to have travelled there more than a thousand years ago and is regarded as a key figure in the foundation of Zen Buddhism, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted in a social media post.

[With PTI inputs]